Your Health Equity card can’t be used for gas – sorry to break it to you!

These cards are strictly for qualified medical expenses that the IRS has blessed as healthcare-related. Gas stations don’t make the cut, so when you try to swipe your Health Equity card at the pump, it’s gonna get declined faster than a bad Tinder profile.

Let’s dive into why this happens and what you can (and can’t) do with that Health Equity card burning a hole in your wallet.

What the heck is a Health Equity card anyway?

Think of your Health Equity card as a special debit card linked to your FSA (Flexible Spending Account), HSA (Health Savings Account), or other health plan. It’s basically the VIP pass to your tax-advantaged health funds.

The whole point is to make paying for medical stuff way easier. Instead of paying out of pocket for your doctor visits, prescriptions, or that fancy orthopedic pillow, then submitting receipts like it’s 1999, you can just swipe the card and be done with it.

But here’s the catch – these cards are picky eaters. They only work at merchants with healthcare-related Merchant Category Codes (MCCs). And guess what? Gas stations aren’t on the menu.

Why can’t I buy gas with my Health Equity card?

Simply put: The IRS says no.

Your HSA or FSA is a tax-advantaged account, which means Uncle Sam gives you a sweet tax break on that money – but only if you use it for qualified medical expenses.

Gas for your car is definitely not a medical expense (unless you’re literally running your car on prescription medication, which would be weird and expensive).

Here’s why your card gets rejected at the pump:

• Gas stations have non-healthcare MCCs
• Health Equity’s system automatically blocks purchases at these locations
• IRS regulations prohibit using tax-advantaged health funds for non-qualified expenses
• Your cardholder agreement explicitly says “no gas stations” (along with ATMs, restaurants, etc.)

Even if you’re buying band-aids or hand sanitizer at a gas station convenience store, the card will still be declined because the whole merchant is categorized as “not healthcare.”

It’s kind of like trying to use a movie theater gift card at a bowling alley. Wrong venue, friend.

Where CAN I use my Health Equity card?

Now that we know gas stations are a no-go, let’s talk about where your card will actually work:

Approved merchants include:

• Doctor’s offices and hospitals
• Pharmacies (like CVS, Walgreens, etc.)
• Dental and vision providers
• Medical supply stores
• Healthcare clinics and labs
• Some online health retailers

Your card will be DECLINED at:

• Gas stations (obviously)
• Restaurants and coffee shops
• Regular retail stores (unless they have a pharmacy)
• ATMs (no cash withdrawals allowed)
• Anywhere selling primarily non-medical stuff

Think of it this way – if the main business of the place isn’t fixing your body or keeping it healthy, your Health Equity card probably won’t work there.

What happens if I accidentally use my card for gas?

We all make mistakes. Maybe you grabbed the wrong card from your wallet while in a hurry. It happens!

If you somehow manage to use your Health Equity card for non-qualified expenses (which is unlikely since it should be declined, but systems aren’t perfect), you’ll need to:

1. Pay the money back to your account
2. Report the mistake to Health Equity
3. Keep documentation of the correction

The IRS doesn’t mess around with health account misuse. If you don’t fix the error, you could face:

• Income tax on the amount spent incorrectly
• A 20% penalty in some cases
• Potential disqualification of your account

According to Health Equity’s own guidelines, improper use of your HSA could result in taxes and penalties that make that tank of gas the most expensive fuel-up of your life.

What are my alternatives for buying gas?

Since your Health Equity card is a no-go for gas, here are your best options:

• Use a regular credit or debit card
• Pay with cash (people still do this, I’m told)
• Use a gas station-specific credit card if you want rewards
• Consider a commuter benefits program if your employer offers one (some do cover gas!)

If you’re trying to budget for medical and gas expenses separately, maybe consider using different colored wallets or keep your cards in different spots so you don’t mix them up.

The bottom line on gas and your Health Equity card

Let’s wrap this up:

• Your Health Equity card is exclusively for healthcare expenses
• Gas stations = automatic decline
• Using the wrong card could cost you in taxes and penalties
• Keep your gas and medical payment methods separate

Think of your Health Equity card as a special tool with one job – paying for healthcare. For everything else, there’s well, everything else in your wallet.

Remember, the restrictions aren’t there to make your life difficult – they’re actually protecting the tax benefits that make your HSA or FSA valuable in the first place. So next time you’re at the pump, reach for a different card and save your Health Equity card for your next doctor’s visit or pharmacy run.

And hey, at least now you know why that card won’t work for your road trip fuel-ups!